HEARTS starlet Holt speaks highly of Black whom he shared a dressing room with at Tynecastle two years ago.

JASON HOLT will always be grateful to old Hearts mentor Ian Black for teaching him to be more street-wise.

But on the opening day of the Championship season he hopes to get the better of the Rangers midfielder – and pave the way for a successful campaign at Tynecastle.

The Jambos star can’t wait to lock horns with Black at Ibrox on August 9.

He used to look up to the former Hearts man during his spell in Gorgie between 2009 and 2012.

Holt revealed the Gers’ playmaker taught him a few tricks of the trade while he was part of the Jambos’ engine room.

He is excited at the prospect of competing in a Championship against the likes of Rangers and Hibs.

But Holt is adamant that when the sides meet in six weeks’ time, their friendship will be put to one side as Robbie Neilson’s men look to get off to a flier.

As the 21-year-old launched the new Petrofac Training Cup – Petrofac Training Services, a leading offshore oil and gas training provider, are now sponsors of the Challenge Cup – he said: “I’m looking forward to the start of the season. It’ll be an interesting league with a lot of big clubs.

“The opening day at Ibrox will be some occasion.

“It will be strange playing against Ian in the first game. He was a big influence on me when he was at Hearts.

“When I was introduced to the first-team squad, he was playing every week.

“He was a big help to me as a young boy. I learned a lot from him and picked up a few street-wise tactics from him that I try to use.

“But I’m just looking to have a strong start.”

Meanwhile, Jack Ross has left his job as Dumbarton No.2 to become manager of Hearts’ Under-20 side.